EW.com | New to Netflix in June: Grey's Anatomy, OITNB EW.com With the temperature spiking, you might find yourself seeking some shade indoors, and Netflix is here to make sure you're making the most of your time out of the ... Everything That's Coming to Netflix in June 2017 |
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New to Netflix in June: Grey's Anatomy, OITNB - EW.com
LGBT people have gained more legal recognition in recent years, but LGBT rights remain a central issue in Indiana politics. Stephanie Wang/IndyStar
Jackie and Lisa Phillips-Stackman hold their daughter, Lola, at their Indianapolis home, Friday, Dec. 4, 2015. The couple are filing a lawsuit against the state to try to get Indiana to recognize both same-sex parents on their children's birth certificates.(Photo: Michelle Pemberton/The Star)Buy Photo
In oral arguments Monday, a panel of three judges for the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals examined whetherIndiana discriminates by not recognizing two married women both as parents on their children's birth certificates without having to adopt.
Judge Diane S. Sykesdrew distinctions betweenbiological parentage and parental rights, and which of the two should be represented on birth certificates.
"You can't overcome biology," Sykes said. "If the state defines parenthood by virtue of biology, no argument under the Equal Protection Clause or the substantive due process clause can overcome that."
"Your Honor, with all due respect, we maintain that parenthood is no longer defined by biology," said Karen Celestino-Horseman, the attorney for eight same-sex couples who brought the lawsuit against the state for only allowing only a mother and a father to be named on birth certificates.
"That's a policy argument to take to the legislature," Sykes responded.
The state of Indiana is appealing a ruling by a district judgewho sidedwith the same-sex couplesand ordered the state to recognize both women as parents on birth certificates of children who are conceived through a sperm donor.
"In our view, that order creates an inequality that did not exist before and undermines the rights of biological fathers and their children," said Indiana Solicitor General Thomas Fisher.
Read the back story: Same-sex couples sue state over birth certificates
More on politics: Tully: A few thoughts about the Mike Pence protests
Trump's education plan: DeVos: School choice should expand, but not from Washington D.C.
The couples' case argued that parental recognition should be a benefit conferred by the U.S. Supreme Court's marriage equality ruling in 2015, known as Obergefell v. Hodges.
Prior to the lawsuit, the spouse who was not the birth mother would have to adopt the child, even if her egg was used for the pregnancy. That was the case for Indianapolis couple Jackie and Lisa Phillips-Stackman, who are part of the lawsuit.
Not recognizing the non-birthmother, the lawsuit said, could make it more difficult for families to be covered by insurance policies, or for the parent to enroll her child in school.
The adoption process, which can be costly, amends the birth certificate to recognize adoptive parents. The original record, Fisher said, is still retained.
But the lawsuit contended that spouses should be recognized as a parent when the child is born because of her wedded status similar to how married opposite-sex couples are often treated, where the husband can be presumed to be the father.
"The statute creates a paternity presumption that just is impossible in a same-sex marriage situation," Sykes said, referring to the state statute on birth certificates that the couples are challenging.
"Your Honor," Celestino-Horseman said, "that's if one still presumes that parenthood is still defined"
Sykes interrupted: "It's not a parenthood statute. It's a paternity statute. Paternity presumption is impossible in a same-sex marriage situation. So we just don't have any kind of discrimination going on here at all."
Later, Sykes said that what the couples may be seeking is a redefinition of parenthood.
"Your Honor," Celestino-Horseman said, "parenthood"
Sykes interrupted again: " is biological or adopted. You want this third category."
As Celestino-Horseman cited relevant cases, Sykes delineated between marriage cases and parenthood cases.
In pregnancies using a sperm donor, opposite-sex couples can say the husband is the father of the child but that same presumption of parenthood doesn't extend to a wife in a same-sex couple who isn't the birth mother, the lawsuit argued.
The state of Indiana countered that opposite-sex couples aren't supposed to do that. The mother is supposed to state when the husband is not the father. But that's not what often happens in real life.
"That led me to think that your argument is that a state law becomes unconstitutional because people subject to the state law don't follow it," Judge Frank H. Easterbrook said, "which would be a very difficult position to take."
The debate, he said, would then be about how state law is supposed to operate not whether it discriminates.
Easterbrook asked how the couples' case would apply to two married men who have a child through artificial insemination.
Celestino-Horseman indicated the situation was more complicated because it would involve surrogacy.
"I don't want to be the one to tell you this, but Obergefell says there can't be any sex discrimination, and now you're saying there must be sex discrimination," Easterbrook said. "In a female-female marriage, the right answer is mother No. 1 and mother No. 2. In a male-male marriage, the right answer is surrogate mother, sperm donor, followed by adoption. In your view, doesn't there have to be identical treatment of the male-male marriage and the female-female marriage?"
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Celestino-Horseman responded that wasn't part of the case.
"We can't ignorethe logical implications of your arguments. And you seem to want to," Easterbrook replied.
He added that the case aimed to require "a mis-recording of who the father is."
"Your view seems to be that it is unconstitutional for Indiana to correctly record the parent," he said.
The Seventh Circuit is taking the case under advisement and may rule at a later date.
Call IndyStar reporter Stephanie Wang at (317) 444-6184. Follow her on Twitter: @stephaniewang.
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Judge to Indiana same-sex couples: 'You can't overcome biology' - Indianapolis Star
New York Times | Some Social Scientists Are Tired of Asking for Permission New York Times Students are the usual subjects in social science research made to play games, fill out questionnaires, look at pictures and otherwise provide data points for their professors' investigations into human behavior, cognition and perception. But who ... |
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Some Social Scientists Are Tired of Asking for Permission - New York Times
FOX31 Denver | Balance Your Mind and Body with a Natural Approach to Anti-Aging FOX31 Denver Doctor Carrie Louise Daenell is an internationally recognized anti-aging expert who speaks all over the world on the topic of natural medicine. She joined us this morning to share how to naturally balance the 40's mind and body through supplementation ... |
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Balance Your Mind and Body with a Natural Approach to Anti-Aging - FOX31 Denver
Connect Meetings has launched an event specifically for medical stakeholders and continuing medical education providers to take place Oct. 24-26 in Cincinnati.
Hosted by Connect at the Renaissance Cincinnati Downtown Hotel, Connect Medical is a hosted-planner, appointment-only program and education conference.
The event brings together the most active planners, suppliers and experts in medical meeting planning for three days of general sessions, roundtables, workshops, preset appointments and quality networking.
"We produce over 60 events a year," said Doreen Brown, CEO of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine.
She added, "Finding the right location and the right vendor partners for our physician audiences is a key factor in our growth and success. Medical audiences have unique requirements. We are looking forward to attending Connect Medical to learn from our peers."
Connect Medical features an emphasis on high-level education relevant to medical event planners.
Presented by established authorities in the field of event planning, these sessions offer attendees thought-provoking deep dives into strategies for developing successful events and advancing their careers.
During the Marketplace session of Connect Medical, planners and sellers meet in preset, scheduled appointments specific to their meetings' needs, exchange RFPs, arrange future site visits and book events.
For more information on Connect Medical please visit ]]> connectmedicalmeetings.com]]> .
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Connect Medical Will Launch in Cincinnati in October - TSNN Trade Show News (blog)
Posted on May 23, 2017, 6 a.m. in Longevity Aging Diet
Research analysis finds that cutting calories works at a physiological level to slow biological aging.
The study was lead by Daniel Belsky, Ph.D. an assistant professor of medicine at the Duke University School of Medicine. Previous research has shown that calorie restriction hinders the aging process in mice, worms, and flies. The question is to what extent such restriction has on the biological aging process in human beings. Biological aging is best defined as the slow but progressive deterioration of the human body's systems over time. If the biological aging rate can be slowed through intervention, it might be possible to delay or prevent the onset of numerous age-related disabilities and diseases.
About the Analysis
Belsky and her team of researchers studied data available to the public from a trial known as CALERIE. The National Institute on Aging conducted this study involving 220 individuals. They were randomized for a calorie restriction of 25 percent or allowed to maintain their current dietary intake. The calorie restriction group was comprised of 145 people. Their calories were reduced by 12 percent across the two-year study. The other group, in which calories were not restricted, was comprised of 75 individuals. The research team studied data from both groups at the beginning of the study. Follow-ups took place at the one-year point as well as the two-year anniversary.
The Results
One method calculated the biological age for participants according to their chronological age as well as the biomarkers that gauge the function of the liver, kidneys, immune system, metabolic system, and cardiovascular system. Hemoglobin levels, systolic blood pressure, and cholesterol were also accounted for. At the beginning of the study, both groups had similar biological ages as determined by the measure described above. The average biological age of the participants was 37 while the average chronological age was 38.
Once the one-year follow-up point was reached, those in the restricted calorie group had an average biological age increase of 0.11 years. The participants who continued their normal dietary intake experienced an average biological age increase of 0.71 years at the one-year follow-up. The difference between these groups was statistically meaningful, showing that restricting calories really did deter the biological aging rate.
The research team also performed another analysis that quantified biological aging as the level of physiological deviation from a benchmark defined by young and healthy individuals from a distinct data set. At the beginning of the trial, the maintenance and calorie-restricted groups deviated the same level on average from the benchmark point. However, at the one-year and two-year follow-up points, the average deviation among the maintenance group stayed the same. The group in which calories were restricted gradually became more similar to the healthy and young benchmark reference point.
The findings were consistent with the mitigated aging researchers found in the group with restricted calories when the biological age calculation method was applied. Interventions to offset or control aging are at the center of medical research.
Study Importance
This was the first study to gauge whether the restriction of calories could mitigate measured biological aging in human beingsin a randomized setting. This study applied the measures of physiologic age described above and demonstrated their value as well as the apparent value provided by restricting calories to slow the aging process. The results suggest a template to develop and study therapies meant to copy the effects of restricting calories to ward off chronic diseases.
See more here:
Curbing Calories Slows Aging | Worldhealth.net Anti-Aging News - Anti Aging News
Researchers from the University of California in San Diego and the University of Minnesota have discovered a link between neurological behaviors in Ecuadorian children and pesticide use during flower growing seasons. Their findings were published in the medical journal NeuroToxicology in May of 2017. Dr. Jose R. Suarez-Lopez Ph.D., an assistant professor at the University of San Diego in the Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, served as first author of the study.
Testing of Children in Agricultural Areas
Ecuador produces a large portion of the worlds cut flowers. The industry relies on pesticides to ensure successful harvests. Previous research using animals as test subjects suggested a link between temporary neurological disorders and pesticide exposure.
The research team tested 308 Ecuadorian children between the ages of 4 and 9 years of age who live near, but do not work in, flower producing areas. Behavioral and blood tests were conducted before peak production for the Mothers Day holiday, and within 100 days after harvest.
Results show that children tested shortly after the harvest ended displayed lower attention spans, less self-control, inferior hand-eye coordination, and problems perceiving and interacting with visual stimuli when compared to children tested later.
The authors of the study conclude that exposure to pesticides causes a short-term decline in neurological functions. According to Dr. Suarez-Lopez, this is of concern due to timing. The growing season corresponds with end-of-term testing in schools. Children suffering from temporary impairment due to pesticide exposure may receive lower scores on important academic exams. These lower scores may then affect their ability to qualify for certain opportunities in higher education or the job market.
The Effects of Agricultural Poisons
Newborns who are exposed to agricultural chemicals are known to have higher risks of certain neurological conditions, such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and abnormalities in reflex, psychomotor, and mental function development. The effects are more prevalent in boys than girls. The short-term disorders detailed in the published study are in addition to these known, long-term effects.
The chemicals in question contain a substance called organophosphate, which is used to destroy pests on flowers before export. In the human body, organophosphates inhibit the actions of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE). AChE regulates acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that allows nerves in the body and brain cells to communicate. Organophosphates are also known to destroy neurons and supporting brain cells. Low Ache levels are associated with impulsive behaviors and low attention spans and scores on memory tests.
The ESPINA Study and Future Research
The ESPINA study is an on-going study that examines the effects of agricultural toxins on children in Ecuador. The study published by Dr. Suarez-Lopezs team is part of this larger effort to understand how environmental pollutants affect the long-term development and welfare of young people growing up in agricultural areas.
Researchers believe their findings prove that exposure to certain pesticides alters cognition, and the ability to learn and interact socially in children. Dr. Suarez-Lopez suggests that a better understanding can be achieved by repeating the tests with a larger sample group. In addition to conducting blood and behavioral tests before and after harvests, an additional test would be conducted during the harvest period, when exposure to agricultural pesticides peaks.
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Flower Pesticides Linked to Neurological Problems - Anti Aging News
Welcome to the Anatomy of a Goal, where each week we dissect one goal (or near goal) from Columbus Crew SCs previous match.
For match 13 of the 2017 MLS Season, we take a look at Ola Kamaras 20th minute half volley that put Crew SC up 1-0 as part of the 2-1 loss to the New England Revolution on Sunday.
Here is a look at the finish from the Crew SC striker.
The Black & Gold had a fast start to Sundays match against New England, using a high press to disrupt the Revolution and getting the fullbacks involved in the attack. On defense, Columbus employed the typically rigid banks of four, as you can just see breaking up in the image below.
On first glance, Olas goal looks like the result of two moments of brilliance: an incredible pass by midfielder Wil Trapp and an incredible strike by the Crew SC striker. However, this goal provides us with an opportunity to dissect how the Black & Gold can successfully pass out of a high press.
In the image above, and the next few images, I have placed a triangle around the three Crew SC players involved in passing out of a press. The passing triangle is one of the quintessential techniques taught and employed by every coach at almost every level of the game. The concept teaches players to quickly pass and move in space, in order to work out of a congested area. In practice, this drill typically employs one or two more offensive players than defensive players, and is often called a rondo. The focus of a rondo, and a passing triangle, is to move the ball around the defensive players until one of the offensive players sees an opportunity to move into a new space, opening up an attack or another triangle.
Above, Crew SC left back Waylon Francis wins an errant New England pass, heading the ball toward teammate and winger Justin Meram. Trapp forms the third point of the triangle. In the middle is New England attacker Femi Hollinger-Janzen. Revs right back Andrew Farrell stays just outside this triangle, perhaps wary of giving Meram the space to move into the New England attacking end.
Meram, barely bothered by Farrell, makes a quick pass to Trapp. Femi, still in the middle of the rondo, is forced to defend all three Columbys players as Farrell opts to protect his defensive end rather than get involved in the triangle.
As Femi over commits to the Trapp-Meram combination, the central midfielder makes a quick pass back to Francis. Trapp will then have to make a decision to move based off of Femis positioning. If Femi moves back to cover Francis, the New England attacker will then leave space for Trapp to run into, breaking up the triangle and opening up an attacking lane. If Femi stays centrally, Trapp and Francis will have a new passing triangle with center-back Jonathan Mensah.
As Femi heads directly toward Francis, Farrell focuses his attention on Meram. Femis decision to defend Francis opens the field for Trapp, who immediately makes a run into the now open space ahead of him. As the ball arrives, Francis must decide if he will pass the ball back to Trapp in an attacking position, or if he will make a pass to the defended Meram.
Francis hits an excellent pass into space to Trapp, giving the Crew SC captain the opportunity to view his surroundings before receiving the pass. As the ball travels, you can see Trapp looking directly at teammate Federico Higuain, who is marked by the just off-screen Xavier Kouassi.
Less than a half-second later, Trapp shifts his gaze from Higuain to the rest of the pitch, where he likely sees Crew SC striker Ola Kamara defended by only one player downfield. Notice the time in this image and the previous image. Trapp is able to identify multiple passing options in the less than one second before he receives the pass from Francis.
Seeing Higuain covered by Kouassi, Trapp decides to move up the field. As Trapp drives forward, Kouassi leaves Higuain. Trapp now has three options: a deep pass to Kamara, continue his dribble and force Kouassi to defend him or Higuain or a quick pass to his playmaker.
Trapp decides to continue his dribble and Kouassi engages the Crew SC captain. As Kouassi closes in on Trapp, the Columbus midfielder now has two options: a deep pass to Kamara or a slotted ball to Higuain. A pass to Higuain is obviously the safe choice, but Trapp is one of the best long-pass deliverers in MLS.
Trapp opts for the home-run pass to Kamara, and his ball is inch-perfect.
The above video shows just how perfect this Trapp pass was. With minimal effort, Trapp sends the ball about to Kamara, who is about 60 yards away. The ball drops directly between Kamara and New England center-back Antonio Delamea, right at the feet of the Crew SC striker.
Kamara, aware of Trapps ability to deliver a perfect long pass, sees the ball arrive and must quickly decide whether to take a touch or to let the ball bounce in front of him. Delamea is the last defender between Kamara and the goal.
The Crew SC striker lets the ball take one bounce, and is faced with another decision. Kamara can either hit the ball on a half-volleyed shot from a difficult angle or he can take a touch on the ball and attempt to beat Delamea on the dribble.
As with Trapp, Kamara opts for the home-run option, and fires an outside-the-foot shot from around 20 yards out. Because Kamara uses the outside of his boot, the ball rotates clockwise, curving back in toward the goal...
...and into the back of the net for the Crew SC goal of the season thus far.
This shot has to be seen in video to appreciate how difficult it actually is to make this shot, and Kamara makes it look almost effortless.
Findings:
Continue reading here:
Anatomy of a Goal: Ola Kamara's New England Golazo - Massive ... - Massive Report
Posted on May 23, 2017, 6 a.m. in Longevity Aging Diet
Research analysis finds that cutting calories works at a physiological level to slow biological aging.
The study was lead by Daniel Belsky, Ph.D. an assistant professor of medicine at the Duke University School of Medicine. Previous research has shown that calorie restriction hinders the aging process in mice, worms, and flies. The question is to what extent such restriction has on the biological aging process in human beings. Biological aging is best defined as the slow but progressive deterioration of the human body's systems over time. If the biological aging rate can be slowed through intervention, it might be possible to delay or prevent the onset of numerous age-related disabilities and diseases.
About the Analysis
Belsky and her team of researchers studied data available to the public from a trial known as CALERIE. The National Institute on Aging conducted this study involving 220 individuals. They were randomized for a calorie restriction of 25 percent or allowed to maintain their current dietary intake. The calorie restriction group was comprised of 145 people. Their calories were reduced by 12 percent across the two-year study. The other group, in which calories were not restricted, was comprised of 75 individuals. The research team studied data from both groups at the beginning of the study. Follow-ups took place at the one-year point as well as the two-year anniversary.
The Results
One method calculated the biological age for participants according to their chronological age as well as the biomarkers that gauge the function of the liver, kidneys, immune system, metabolic system, and cardiovascular system. Hemoglobin levels, systolic blood pressure, and cholesterol were also accounted for. At the beginning of the study, both groups had similar biological ages as determined by the measure described above. The average biological age of the participants was 37 while the average chronological age was 38.
Once the one-year follow-up point was reached, those in the restricted calorie group had an average biological age increase of 0.11 years. The participants who continued their normal dietary intake experienced an average biological age increase of 0.71 years at the one-year follow-up. The difference between these groups was statistically meaningful, showing that restricting calories really did deter the biological aging rate.
The research team also performed another analysis that quantified biological aging as the level of physiological deviation from a benchmark defined by young and healthy individuals from a distinct data set. At the beginning of the trial, the maintenance and calorie-restricted groups deviated the same level on average from the benchmark point. However, at the one-year and two-year follow-up points, the average deviation among the maintenance group stayed the same. The group in which calories were restricted gradually became more similar to the healthy and young benchmark reference point.
The findings were consistent with the mitigated aging researchers found in the group with restricted calories when the biological age calculation method was applied. Interventions to offset or control aging are at the center of medical research.
Study Importance
This was the first study to gauge whether the restriction of calories could mitigate measured biological aging in human beingsin a randomized setting. This study applied the measures of physiologic age described above and demonstrated their value as well as the apparent value provided by restricting calories to slow the aging process. The results suggest a template to develop and study therapies meant to copy the effects of restricting calories to ward off chronic diseases.
Original post:
Curbing Calories Slows Aging - Anti Aging News
(MENAFN Editorial) --> BROWNSVILLE, Texas, May 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Manjula Raguthu is recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Top Doctor of 2017. Dr. Raguthu is a Physician at Medwin Family Medicine & Rehabilitation.
According to their website, Medwin Family Medicine & Rehabilitation, established in 2002, is a healthcare facility that "serves patients of all ages and is aimed at delivering high quality and comprehensive health care services at two locations." The physicians at Medwin Family Medicine & Rehabilitation are dedicated to providing patients with utmost care with convenient locations and flexible office hours.
Recognized as one of the Best Family Physicians in America by the Consumer's Research Council of America for 2009, 2006 and 2004, Dr. Raguthu holds 32nd rank in Family Practice Boards in America. She has received distinctions in the fields of Microbiology and Opthalmology, and an Exemplary Leadership Award in her field in 2001. Additionally, she was awarded the Distinguishedumanitarian Award, and was named the Professional of the Year in 2015 and 2016 by Elite American Physician, as well as many other honors throughout the course of her career.
Heavily educated in her line of work, Dr. Raguthu earned her Postgraduate Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynecology in addition to a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from Guntur Medical College in 1990, and completed her residency at St. Vincent's Medical Center in New York. In 2008, she was Re-Certified in Family Practice and holds an Advanced Trauma Life Support Certification, Medical Office Management Certification and is a Certified Medical Coder and Certified Compliance Officer.
For more information, please visit http://www.medwinfamily.com
SOURCE Continental Who's Who
MENAFN1605201700701241ID1095503753
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Dr. Manjula Raguthu is recognized by Continental Who's Who - MENAFN.COM
Updated 5 hours ago
A theory to solve the nation's ever-worsening bee decline through genetic engineering has Western Pennsylvania beekeepers split about whether it will work.
We have to start working with bees that are locally adapted to the areas we keep them, explained Dwight Wells, 77, a founding member of the Heartland Honeybee Breeders Cooperative and president of the West Central Ohio Beekeepers Association who was a guest speaker at a weekend seminar in Beaver County. Beekeepers have got to understand their bees like farmers understand their crops and cows and pigs. Farmers are careful on the genetics they have in herds and fields big-time. They're looking for proper genetics.
Beekeepers have to start thinking along the same line and start calling themselves bee farmers.
Wells has worked with Purdue University geneticists since 2013 to improve the genetics of honeybees by mating them with queen bees that have adapted to chew off the legs of Varroa mites, also known as Purdue ankle biters. The parasites have long been blamed for honeybee loss because they transmit deadly diseases.
Wells said there are many theories that attempt to explain the mysterious colony collapse disorder, which surfaced in 2006. But he is convinced the main problem is linked to the Varroa mite and malnourished bees a problem he believes is solvable by combining the genetics of mite-resistant bees with Southern, commercial bees that are not fully adapted to surviving harsh winters.
Al Fine, owner of Fine Family Apiary, is not sure the project will work in the long run.
Fine, who keeps about 130 colonies at farms and backyards throughout Allegheny, Washington and Westmoreland counties, lost about 60 percent of his honey bees this winter.
Beekeepers can't afford not to treat for mites because we have to treat them to keep business going, Fine said.
He makes money by selling bees and honey and by renting out colonies to farmers. Business suffers when bees die off in winter, so Fine said he has a vested interest in keeping his bees alive.
To replenish his stock, he buys packages from large-scale commercial beekeepers in Georgia.
You like your strawberries I like blueberries and squash is really good, and people like zucchini, Fine said. Bees are always going to be moved.
According to the Atlanta-based American Beekeeping Federation, bees contribute nearly $20 billion to the country's agriculture industry by pollinating everything from apples to cranberries, melons and broccoli. Crops such as blueberries and cherries are almost entirely dependent on bee pollination. Almonds are entirely dependent on their pollination.
An estimated two-thirds of the country's 2.7 million bee colonies are transported to different farms across the nation throughout the year, ABF reports.
To keep his bees alive, Fine usually sprays them with an organic pesticide twice a year. The spray, he said, burns Varroa mites with naturally occurring acids. This year, however, he plans on using three or four treatments.
But Wells' genetic improving program is not necessarily targeting large beekeeping operations, which typically move bees long distances, said John Yakim, president of the Beaver Valley Area Beekeepers Association. He thinks the program would work if hobbyists who own five to 10 hives, like himself, introduced Purdue ankle biters to the region.
Yakim met Wells at a Pennsylvania State Beekeepers Association seminar in November 2014. Since then, he said he has been learning about the practice and wants others to be exposed to it as well.
BVABA hosted its Queen Raising Seminar on Friday and Saturday in Baden. Participants received unmated queen bees that Yakim and Wells hope mate with local drones.
This is designed for small-scale hobbyist and sideliners, Yakim said of the genetic improving program.
But that doesn't mean he thinks the program couldn't potentially work for large-scale beekeeping operations.
I don't see why not, even for producers with 10,000 colonies. The underlying science isn't going to change, he said.
The science lies in combining the genes of climate survivability and Varroa mite resistance, Wells said.
The problem with bees bought by beekeepers is that most of them are adapted to live in warmer climates, such as Georgia and Florida, where most commercial stock is produced, Wells said.
Beekeepers have been relying on chemicals since the 1980s to treat for mites. But mites develop resistance. And now they're running out of chemicals, Wells said. The smart ones are understanding they got to start developing their own stocks in order to kill mite spells. They're in trouble, and they realize it.
Dillon Carr is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 724-850-1298, dcarr@tribweb.com or via Twitter @dillonswriting.
Dan Speicher | Tribune-Review
Al Fine, owner of Fine Family Apiary, inspects his bee hives, at Triple B Farms in Monongehala, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017.
Dan Speicher | Tribune-Review
The queen bee, marked with a yellow dot, can be seen inside an observation hut Al Fine, at Triple B Farms in Monongehala, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. Fine
Dan Speicher | Tribune-Review
Al Fine, owner of Fine Family Apiary, lights a ball of cardboard for his smoker, before he inspects his bee hives, at Triple B Farms in Monongehala, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The Smoke is believed to mask the bees alarm pheromones, which blocks the bees ability to raise the alarm of an intruder.
Dan Speicher | Tribune-Review
Al Fine, owner of Fine Family Apiary, removes the cover of a beehive, before inspecting the hive after recently introducing a new queen, at Triple B Farms in Monongehala, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017.
Dan Speicher | Tribune-Review
Al Fine, owner of Fine Family Apiary, removes the cover of a beehive, before inspecting the hive after recently introducing a new queen, at Triple B Farms in Monongehala, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The Smoke is believed to mask the bees alarm pheromones, which blocks the bees ability to raise the alarm of an intruder.
Dan Speicher | Tribune-Review
Al Fine, owner of Fine Family Apiary, searches for a newly introduced queen, while inspecting his bee hives at Triple B Farms in Monongehala, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017.
Dan Speicher | Tribune-Review
Al Fine, owner of Fine Family Apiary, inspects his bee hives, at Triple B Farms in Monongehala, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017.
Dan Speicher | Tribune-Review
The dark bodied queen bee, crawls around a frame, as Al Fine, owner of Fine Family Apiary, inspects his bee hives, at Triple B Farms in Monongehala, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017.
Dan Speicher | Tribune-Review
Honey bees, owned by Al Fine, owner of Fine Family Apiary, stand at the uncovered entrance to the bee hives, at Triple B Farms in Monongehala, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. Fine
Dan Speicher | Tribune-Review
Al Fine, owner of Fine Family Apiary, inspects his bee hives, at Triple B Farms in Monongehala, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017.
Dan Speicher | Tribune-Review
Al Fine, owner of Fine Family Apiary, takes a break while inspecting his bee hives, at Triple B Farms in Monongehala, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. Fine
Dan Speicher | Tribune-Review
Al Fine, owner of Fine Family Apiary, poses for a portrait in his bee keeper suit, at Triple B Farms in Monongehala, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017.
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Western Pennsylvania beekeepers abuzz on genetic engineering - Tribune-Review
By Ryan CrossMay. 22, 2017 , 11:00 AM
Nope. Youre not looking at a Bob Ross still life. This faintly colored image was painted by bacteria (Escherichia coli) that produce colored pigments in response to light. Scientists designed the bacteria by adding 18 new genes to their genetic circuitry, including thousands of DNA bases that code for light sensor proteins that respond to red, green, or blue light. Exposure to the light makes the bacteria turn on a gene that kicks off a chemical reaction, producing a corresponding red, green, or blue pigment. Other genes act like circuit breakers to keep the system from overloading. The paint-by-light images were produced by mixing the bacteria into a gel on a petri dish and placing them in an incubator exposed to projector or laser light. Using this setup, scientists recreated the Massachusetts Institute of Technology logo, Super Mario, a tiled pattern of lizards, and a pile of fruit (above), they report today in Nature Chemical Biology. Although the art is unlikely to be displayed alongside works by Van Gogh or Monet, the genetically engineered bacteria could have other practical applications. The scientists say their light-responsive circuit could help control the flux of metabolic pathways in vats of microbes used to produce pharmaceuticals or industrial chemicals, by turning on and off in response to red, green, and blue lighta veritable bacterial disco.
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Bacteria can paint with light, thanks to genetic engineering - Science Magazine
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Western Wayne High School and Middle School students competed at the state meeting of the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science held May 14-16 at Penn State University, Main Campus. Representing the high school: Mallory Jablon received a first award for her research in behavioral science and was chosen as a Pennsylvania Science Talent Search award recipient. Kirstin Metschulat received a first award for her research in behavioral science. Darlene Black received a second award for her research in ecology. Caitlin Falloon served as a technician for the presentations. Representing the Middle School: Jamie Bryan received a first award for her research in behavioral science. Caydence Faatz received a second award for her research in zoology. From left: Jamie, Caydence, Kirstin, Caitlin, Darlene and Mallory.
Western Wayne High School and Middle School students competed at the state meeting of the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science held May 14-16 at Penn State University, Main Campus. Representing the high school: Mallory Jablon received a first award for her research in behavioral science and was chosen as a Pennsylvania Science Talent Search award recipient. Kirstin Metschulat received a first award for her research in behavioral science. Darlene Black received a second award for her research in ecology. Caitlin Falloon served as a technician for the presentations. Representing the middle school: Jamie Bryan received a first award for her research in behavioral science. Caydence Faatz received a second award for her research in zoology. From left: Jamie, Caydence, Kirstin, Caitlin, Darlene and Mallory.
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Western Wayne students participate in PJAS competition - News ... - Scranton Times-Tribune
Researchers have discovered an antioxidant that may potentially help protect cardiovascular functions in patients with diabetes. Details on the study were presented at the 2017 Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology and Peripheral Vascular Disease Scientific Sessions in Minnesota. The American Heart Association sponsored the event. Ji-Yao Ella Zhang Ph.D. from the Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute at the Boston University in Massachusetts led the team. Dr. Naomi M. Hamburg, doctor of Cardiology and Internal Medicine, was the studys senior author.
Resveratrol
The compound Resveratrol is an antioxidant found in grape products such as juice and wine, certain berries, peanuts, and cocoa. The compound belongs to a class of chemicals known as polyphenols, which are antioxidants that come from plants. Previous research has suggested that polyphenols may help improve cardiovascular functions and reduce damaging inflammation.
Stiff arteries are a byproduct of the aging process. Those affected by diabetes experience premature arterial aging. Hardened arteries increase risks of experiencing a heart attack, stroke, and high blood pressure.
Previous studies using animals as test subjects has shown that Resveratrol helps reduce hardening of the aorta. The aorta pumps oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body. The studies show that Resveratrol activates the SIRT1 gene, which is associated with slower aging processes. The team at Boston University wanted to explore if the compound had the same effect on humans.
Clinical Study
Fifty-seven participants were chosen for the study. The average age of participants was 56 years. All patients had type II diabetes and had a body-mass index (BMI) that indicated obesity.
Patients were given 100 mg doses of Resveratrol daily for a two-week period. The dosage was then increased to 300 mg for another two weeks. After a two-week washout period, the participants were given a placebo for a total of 4 weeks.
Most of the participants saw no changes in arterial stiffness. However, a subgroup of 23 patients with particularly high arterial stiffness saw a 9% decrease with the 300 mg dose and a 4.8% decrease with the 100 mg dose. The placebo treatments seemed to increase overall arterial stiffness.
Study Conclusions
While the exact mechanism is not known, researchers conclude that Resveratrol treatment reverses abnormalities in blood vessels caused by aging, obesity, and diabetes. The compound appears to improve structural issues in the aorta but does not relax blood vessels. This means that Resveratrol treatment benefits diabetes patients more than those without this condition.
Further study is necessary to confirm these findings.
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Resveratrol May Benefit Diabetics' Cardiovascular Health - Anti Aging News
The many meanings of chemistry
Weike Wangs experience as an undergraduate in a chemistry lab at Harvard served as the inspiration for her debut novel, Chemistry, available from publisher Alfred A. Knopf this week. The novel confronts many issues relevant to graduate students, including what it means to love science.
After an incident involving some smashed glassware, the main character takes a stress-related leave of absence from her chemistry lab. She grapples with whether to return to her Ph.D. program while entertaining a marriage proposal from her boyfriend, who has finished his degree and is preparing to take the next step in his career. The decision of whether to be honest with her strict parents about her diversion from the straight and narrow weighs heavily on her as well. She accepts a position tutoring students in math and science while she examines her options and reflects on how she arrived at this point.
Wang herself completed her doctorate in epidemiology at Harvards T.H. Chan School of Public Health in April. While working toward her doctorate, she also completed an MFA in creative writing at Boston University. She originally wrote Chemistry for her creative writing masters thesis. I didnt know I was going to write a novel until it was sort of happening, she tells Newscripts.
Wang says that working on her writing degree during the research phase of her doctorate was helpful because it allowed her to figure out where her passions lie. I actually enjoy writing when its going terribly, she says. But I hated research when it was going terribly. Although a lot of academic scientists are drawn to the creative side of research, Wang says that isnt the case for her; writing is her creative outlet.
But science is a clear inspiration throughout the novel. Wangs love of chemistry and physics is evident in the way she weaves scientific concepts into her writing. Theres a lot of beauty in science, just like theres a lot of beauty in art and music and language, something both the general public and researchers could stand to be reminded of, she says. I wanted to present science in a way that was interesting and stimulating.
Ethnicity features prominently in the novel as well. People who go into science are disproportionately Asian, she says. I wanted to investigate thatif we go into it because we love it, or if we go into it because of other forces. If the latter, Wang wonders, what happens when things dont work out?
Wangs primary purpose in writing the novel was to make people think about why theyre doing what theyre doing, which she says is a question that everybody should ask. She has no plans to pursue a position in epidemiology just yet: I am sort of hoping this writing thing might work out.
Organic chemistry can be daunting. Thats why a team of students at the University of California, Berkeley, has developed React!, a multiplayer board game that helps learners get comfortable building molecules and carrying out reactions using illustrated cards, markers, and dry-erase boards.
React! is meant to be accessible to everyone from high school students to working chemists, and no prior organic chemistry background is needed. The game was chosen as one of three winners of UC Berkeleys Big Ideas start-up competition, and the students are running a Kickstarter campaign to help launch the game.
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Chemistry, in a book and a board game - Chemical & Engineering News
Researchers at Washington University in St Louis have examined cognitive differences in university students that may contribute to their high dropout rate from introductory undergraduate chemistry courses. They found that those who can make accurate extrapolation predictions based on concepts presented in class what they dub abstraction learners consistently outperformed so-called exemplar learners who have trouble doing so and instead depend on rote memorisation. These performance differences were even more pronounced for those enrolled in higher level organic chemistry courses.
The Washington University team studied more than 800 students taking chemistry courses over three semesters at a highly competitive US research university, roughly half of whom were classified as having difficulty bridging the gap between a concept and an illustrative example. The researchers used a learning assessment to determine how well these students understood abstract concepts presented during a fictional assignment that required them to learn the functional relation between two new elements associated with a new organism supposedly discovered on Mars.
The researchers found that active learning, at least in the form of a peer-led approach, helped a subset of the exemplar learners perform better. To determine whether these results are replicated in other introductory scientific courses and at other research institutions, the researchers are studying these effects in other science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem) classes and at different universities.
Tools to anticipate which students might have difficulty in chemistry and other science subjects are helpful as poor grades in these classes are a major contributor to undergraduates leaving Stem degrees. We know people who are rote learners struggle with science, and if we can identify them early, we can change the curriculum and put in supplemental support, study co-author Regina Frye tells Chemistry World. Since we have shown that their concept-building approach does predict their effective performance, now we are looking at what types of interventions you may use that could help these students.
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Predicting which undergrads will succeed in chemistry - Chemistry World (subscription)
NEW HAVEN >> Theo Epstein recalled sporting a Red Sox hat when he sat amidst the vast crowd at Yales Class Day ceremonies 22 years ago, even though he had recently finished an internship with the Orioles.
Two days later, after commencement exercises, Epstein boarded a plane for San Diego ostensibly donning a Padres hat, beginning his career in Major League Baseball in that teams front office.
At Yales 2017 Class Day program on Sunday, Epstein was again a man of many hats, swapping his Yale cap for a Cubs hat midway through his address as this years featured speaker. Like the lids atop his head, Epstein, who has led both the Red Sox and Cubs to historic, curse-busting World Series titles, has proven to be amenable to change.
Famously calling for longtime Yale football coach Carm Cozza to step down while the sports editor of the Daily Campus as a Yale junior, Epstein has since confessed to regretting the situation. More famous as one of the poster boys of analytic and sabermetrics that has engulfed baseball over the past 15-20 years, Epstein has similarly changed his tune a bit.
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Thats one of the great ironies of the digital information age, he said shortly after his speech. Now theres so much information out there, so much data and statistics, that its easy to attempt to precisely quantify a players contribution. You can never really quantify a human being. You cant quantify character. That stuff does matter, especially in a group situation, where players really do have impact on one another and leadership matters. The ability to bounce back from adversity matters, lifting each other up in tough moments. Its something that Ive come to appreciate more and more, every year, each of the 26 years Ive worked in baseball.
The gist of Epsteins speech, which included a good-natured request for Yankees fans to head for the exits and his own astonishment that he would ever be invited back as Class Day speaker (If you had ranked all the people, whos most likely to come back, I probably would have been last, he said afterwards), centered around the now-famous story of the Cubs ability to bounce back from adversity last season and win their first World Series in 108 years. Specifically, he pointed to the story of how the team, led by slumping outfielder Jason Heyward, held a meeting in the midst of a brief rain delay during Game 7 that rallied the troops to their ultimate historic victory.
Many sabermetricians of today, some of them disciples of Epstein, often pooh-pooh things like clubhouse chemistry and players with good character, arguing that, ultimately, its all about the numbers. But Epstein has diverged off that path in recent years.
I think theres a wide spectrum of ways people assess talent, he said. I still think datas important, because it can give you some real, empirical truths about a player. Facts are important, objectivity is important. But you have to combine it with an understanding of the player as a human being.
Chemistry is really hard to pinpoint and discern the magic formula, he continued, but if you look for enough high-character players, players who are invested in one another and are willing to connect, that really helps uplift the whole team.
Epstein was in good spirits during his return to Yale, reflecting on the good times he had as an undergrad. He specifically remembered the speech delivered by Baltimore Mayor Kurt Schmoke at Class Day in 1995, which encouraged people to live heroic lives in small, understated ways.
Epsteins memories of his visits to Toads Place were a little more fuzzy.
Really, the best memories are just pre-partying with friends, then heading there and all the hijinks that would ensue on a nightly basis. The best memories, by definition, you cant remember.
Epstein has helped deliver lifelong memories to Red Sox and Cubs fans, and hopes this years Cubs team can make more. The Cubs have been idling around .500 as they try to snap out of a potential post-World Series hangover. Epstein sees some similarities with the 2005 Red Sox, who were coming off their first world title in 86 years the prior October.
I remember in 05, we dealt with a lot of injury problems, he noted. We dealt with some downturns in performance, and we had to scratch and claw our way to 95 wins and get into the postseason. We were kind of spent by the time the postseason rolled around. I hope that this year, we find a way to fight through it and show up in October in a little bit better condition, ready to play another month of baseball.
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For Theo Epstein, chemistry now matters -- a lot - New Haven Register
Monday was a good start to the week for stocks, with major benchmarks climbing around half a percent on the day. Most market participants pointed to a lack of bad news over the weekend and anticipation about expected favorable economic data in the coming days as drivers of the generally positive attitude among investors.
But there are still plenty of factors that are preventing stocks overall from mounting stronger gains, including nervousness about geopolitical issues as well as weaker parts of the global economy. Nevertheless, some stocks posted strong gains, and Puma Biotechnology (NASDAQ:PBYI), Applied Optoelectronics (NASDAQ:AAOI), and Ferroglobe (NASDAQ:GSM) were among the best performers on the day. Below, we'll look more closely at these stocks to tell you why they did so well.
Image source: Getty Images.
Shares of Puma Biotechnology soared 39% as investors anticipated that the biotech company will get approval of its neratinib breast cancer drug from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. An FDA advisory committee is scheduled to meet later this week, and documents supporting that meeting were released today. In those documents, investors found fewer critical views of neratinib than some had expected, and that led those following the stock to conclude that the drug is likely to get a favorable review from the advisory panel. That by itself won't mean certain approval for neratinib, as the final decision from the FDA doesn't necessarily hinge on the advisory panel. Nevertheless, positive signs have investors excited about Puma, and there's potential for further gains if the FDA does indeed follow through with approval later this year.
Applied Optoelectronics stock climbed 12% after the supplier of fiber-optic components got a favorable review from Wall Street analysts. Needham & Co. began its coverage of Applied Optoelectronics stock with a strong buy rating, arguing that the company has a lot of growth potential stemming from moves among enterprise data center users to upgrade their performance and incorporate faster transfer speeds. Needham set an $85-per-share price target on the stock, which still gives investors nearly 20% upside from current levels. If Applied Optoelectronics can turn the new upgrade cycle into accelerating growth, then investors could see even greater gains in the long run.
Finally, shares of Ferroglobe rose 9%. The producer of silicon metal and various related alloys released its first-quarter financial results, which included flat revenue compared to the fourth quarter of 2016 and a minimal net loss for the quarter. Shipment volumes were down from year-ago levels, but a rise in prices for manganese alloys was sufficient to keep total average selling prices relatively steady. Yet CEO Pedro Larrea was optimistic about the company's performance, noting that "significant margin improvement reflects solid demand across end markets and a continued improvement in the overall pricing environment." Even with the gains, Ferroglobe shares have lost half their value in the past two years, but investors are optimistic that the company can earn back some of those losses over time.
Dan Caplinger has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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Why Puma Biotechnology, Applied Optoelectronics, and Ferroglobe Jumped Today - Motley Fool